Tag: tips saving money

While it’s always a good idea to save money, especially for “big-ticket” goals like retirement, college and emergency expenses, there are some times in life when you might not want to save as much as others. Is it ever okay not to save money?

Lots of people think, “If only I made more money, I could save more.” The truth is, saving money doesn’t have much to do with your income. It’s true that someone living in poverty will not be able to save as much as someone earning $50,000 a year. But if you have a regular middle class income, the most important factors in helping you save money are your own dedication, discipline and sense of intention in saving. You can save more by deciding to save more.

For most college students, this is the first time you are managing a budget and incurring debt. Developing cost-saving habits will allow you to live more comfortably as you pursue your degree and help you continue to live well after you graduate. So whether you’re saving up to throw a killer tailgate party for Homecoming or just paying tuition for next semester, here are a few tips for keeping your budget under control.

After living at home for 18 years, listening to my dad yell at me for turning the thermostat up one degree, I couldn’t wait to move into my own place. No more nights spent tossing and turning because it was too hot to sleep. No more lectures about turning my ceiling fan off when I left for school or about falling asleep with the TV on. I was a free woman. That was… until I got my first set of utility bills. Yikes! Suddenly it all made sense. My dad was right; and believe me, it pains me to say that. Now, I’ve been living on my own for going on six years and I’ve found that with a few simple steps, you can easily decrease those utility bills (with minimal effort) and save the environment while you’re at it. Not bad.

The holiday season has become synonymous with shopping. “Black Friday” has become an unofficial national holiday to rival Thanksgiving, “Cyber Monday” is attracting more attention as people look for great deals online, and the month of December is full of holiday parties and all the gift-giving that goes with it. While it’s great to celebrate the holidays and share generosity with your loved ones, every year too many families get overextended financially due to too much shopping. What are some ways to keep this holiday season “merry” for your finances?

When surrounded by the tempting smells of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and other holiday treats, who wants to count calories? Thanksgiving is the perfect time of year to forget that diet and just enjoy a nice meal. Of course, we can’t always treat our budgets with the same spirited disregard. Luckily, there are many easy ways to enjoy a delicious feast while keeping your wallet from starving.

Since the recession, being called a penny-pincher isn’t the insult it used to be, and for good reason. Even before the economic meltdown, those who were spending less than what they made were having more fun than those who splurged. Why? Let’s take a look.